Design Homes That Meet Energy Standards: Get a 6 Star House Energy Rating from Australia’s Certified Energy
If your business specialises in building homes and developing residential neighbourhoods, then you are probably already closely familiar with the National Construction Code (NCC) and NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating System). These two codes and how they intersect should dictate how you manage the ESD (Environmental Sustainable Design) of the properties you engineer and build.
At Certified Energy, we can help you determine whether your homes meet the necessary regulations, with a detailed and helpful 6 star energy rating report. If the homes you are designing already meet national energy standards, then our report can give you peace of mind on that matter. If your homes are falling short of some standards, our report can be a valuable tool to help you identify areas for improvement in design and build. Either way, investing in a house energy rating report is worth the price and the time.
NatHERS: What You Need to Know and Where Your Responsibilities Lie
The National Construction Code dictates that all new residential Class 1a dwellings in Australia must achieve at least a 6 star energy rating to be compliant. (Class 1a buildings, for reference, are single dwelling homes.) In addition to new homes, the ‘6 Star Standard’ also applies to all ‘home renovations, alterations and additions.’
The 6 Star Standard uses the NatHERS energy star rating system, which rates homes for their energy efficiency on a scale from 0 to 10. Homes that score 0 or 1 on the NatHERS scale are not very energy efficient. Homes that score 9 or 10 are as energy efficient as they can be. Homes that score 6—the industry standard—land in the golden mean. There is still room for improvement, but the design of these homes is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Specifically, the NatHERS scale refers to thermal performance or the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature in a home year-round. The higher the house energy rating, the less energy the home requires to keep warm in the winter and keep cool during summer. The NCC’s 6 Star Standard also includes provisions for lighting fixture efficiency. However, the rating is largely determined by thermal efficiency. This quality in a home, in turn, tends to relate back to the materials and design used for the dwelling’s roof, walls, floors, and windows.
As a designer or engineer for residential dwellings, it is your responsibility to make sure the homes you build meet the NCC’s requirements. Acquiring a 6 star energy rating report in Australia will help you make that determination. At Certified Energy, we can tell you where your home designs land on the NatHERS scale. Whether you are just trying to attain the 6 Star Standard or want to build some of the most energy efficient homes on the market, we can give you the information you need to get there.
Get Your 6 Star Energy Rating Report Today
Do you need a 6 star energy rating report in Australia for a home or residential dwelling? If so, call Certified Energy to learn more about what we can do to help you. You can reach us by dialling 1300 443 674.